British Lords Amend Terrorism Law

Britain's upper house of parliament has rejected a plan that would have allowed a government minister to issue restraints against terrorism suspects.

The House of Lords Monday insisted that only a judge could issue orders to place suspects under curfew or impose bans on telephone and Internet use.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has been trying to push through new anti-terrorism laws before March 14, when current security legislation expires. The government last week conceded to lower-house demands that only a judge could issue orders for house arrest.

In the face of strong criticism by the opposition and some members of his own Labor Party, Mr. Blair was given a public boost for new legislation Sunday. The recently retired head of London's police force warned that there are at least 100 al-Qaida terrorists in Britain determined to carry out attacks there.